Politics
23:09, 12-Jan-2019
Pompeo: 'Good outcome can be achieved for both Syrian Kurds and Turkey'
Updated
22:48, 15-Jan-2019
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U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday he was optimistic that a "good outcome" can be achieved that protects the Syrian Kurds while allowing Turkey to "defend their country from terrorists" despite the U.S. withdrawal. The comment was made after he spoke to the Turkish foreign minister.
He described the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria as a "tactical change," and details on the Syrian Kurds still need to be worked out with Turkey, but he reassured that the move does not alter U.S. military capacity to counter ISIL and Iran.
"We recognize the Turkish people's right to defend their country from terrorists, but we also know that those ... who are not terrorists and fighting alongside us for all this time deserve to be protected," Pompeo told reporters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the fourth leg of his regional visit.
Meanwhile, Turkey is sending more reinforcement to the Turkish Province of Hatay on the Syrian border.
Earlier on Saturday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, chief of general staff and the intelligence agency head, visited border military units and discussed "measures to establish peace and stability in the region," according to a statement released by the ministry.
Source(s): Reuters